News release - State Board reviews proposed revisions to Colorado Academic Standards

Nov. 9, 2017

State Board reviews proposed revisions to Colorado Academic Standards

Board denies SLAM charter school appeal

DENVER - The Colorado State Board of Education at its two-day November board meeting heard updates on the Colorado Academic Standards (CAS) review and revision process, which is required by state law every six years.

CDE staff and standards review committee members presented proposed revisions to four of the 13 content areas: dance, comprehensive health and physical education, drama and theatre arts, and math. Next month, the board will review proposed revisions to the content areas of computer science, science, visual arts and world languages.

The public has until Monday,  Nov. 27, to comment on proposed revisions to the standards through the online feedback system. CAS review committees will use public feedback to determine additional revisions that may be needed prior to making final recommendations to the Board.

Charter school application appeal denied

The board denied an appeal of a charter school application by Sports Leadership and Management Academy (SLAM), which hoped to open Fall 2018 in northeast Denver. The K-12 charter school’s application had been denied twice by the Denver Board of Education over what the local board said were deficiencies in its application, leading school officials to appeal to the state board. The school would have delivered a sports-integrated education, preparing students for careers in sports leadership and management. Top concerns were around how the school would set performance standards and provide a viable program for K-5 English language learners.

Education commissioner assigns district ratings

Education Commissioner Katy Anthes presented final accountability ratings for the state’s 178 school districts and BOCES. Four districts improved enough to move off the state’s accountability clock. Thirty districts received the highest rating of “Distinction” and 90 received the second-highest rating of “Accredited.” No districts had the lowest rating of “Turnaround,” and only nine districts were on “Priority Improvement.” Read the news release for more information on 2016-17 district accreditation ratings.

Colorado Graduation Guidelines feedback from business panel

Safe Communities, Safe Schools research request approved

The board approved a research request from the American Institutes for Research (AIR) to obtain student-level data that does not include student names or identification numbers.  AIR will use the data to evaluate the Safe Communities, Safe Schools model, which is a program developed by CU Boulder.  Researchers will share aggregate results with the schools who can then use that information to make future decisions to improve school safety.

Rulemaking actions:

• Approved a notice of rulemaking for the Individualized Career and Academic Plans standards that require schools and districts to provide career and military entry information to students and parents.

• Approved rules for the administration of the Teacher Grants for Computer Science Education Program, making districts eligible to receive grants for training teachers in computer science education.

• Approved rules for the administration of the School Counselor Corps Grant Program, expanding funding eligibility to all schools, including charter schools, for school counseling and postsecondary preparation supports.

• Approved technical changes to rules for the administration of the School Health Professional Grant Program that provides funds to increase the number of school health professionals.

• Approved technical changes to the rules for the administration of statutory waiver requests following the passage of HB 17-1375.

• Approved the 2018 School and District Performance Framework targets for academic achievement, growth and post-secondary workforce readiness measures.

• Approved four new members to the State Advisory Council for Parent Involvement in Education (SACPIE).